Apparatus for and method of driving a tunnel shaft

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for driving a tunnel shaft includes a driving machine which is supported within an auxiliary shaft which is pivotally mounted on a wheeled track car in a position such that it may be raised to the desired drilling or angle by an associated positioning mechanism. The drilling machine is mounted within the auxiliary shaft in a tubular support which may be clamped in position in respect to the auxiliary shaft or when the drilling progresses clamped to the drilled tunnel shaft walls. The drilling tool is mounted in front of the driving motor in a manner such that it can be extended or retracted as desired. An advancing stroke mechanism carried on a frame supporting the auxiliary shaft is arranged to engage a tubular structure supporting the driving motor and advance it outwardly into the wall structure being drilled. The advanced tubular support structure is supported in its extended position by additionally supplied cylindrical supporting and carrying elements which are placed between it and the mounting base therefor on the under carriage as the tunnel is progressively formed. The structure is locked in each incremental advance position by transversely movable hydraulic wedge elements which are positioned behind support cams defined on the previously applied supporting structures until another support structure of a length equivalent to the advance is added behind them. A tunnel shaft is drilled from the bottom to the top by first forming a cavern at the bottom of the intended shaft and moving the drilling apparatus into position within the cavern. Thereafter the auxiliary tunnel shaft is raised to an elevation corresponding to the angle at which the tunnel is to be driven and the drilling tool is extended to form an initial drilling cut while its driving motor is supported within a tubular member located within the auxiliary shaft. After an initial cut is made the drilling member together with its driving motor is advanced outwardly and clamped against the wall of the tunnel which has been drilled at the exterior of the auxiliary shaft.

Unitedv States Patent Gerd Kampf-Emden Hosel;

Heinz Horst, Rheinbausen; Friedrich Klapdohr, Rheinhausen, all of, Germany [72] lnventors [54] APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF DRIVING A TUNNEL SHAFT 19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 299/18, 175/88, 175/94, 299/31, 299/56 [51] Int. Cl E0lg 3/03 [50] Field of Search 299/31, 32, 56, 18; 175/94 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ABSTRACT: An apparatus for driving a tunnel shaft includes a driving machine which is supported within an auxiliary shaft which is pivotally mounted on a wheeled track car in a position such that it may be raised to the desired drilling or angle by an associated positioning mechanism. The drilling machine is mounted within the auxiliary shaft in a tubular support which may be clamped in position in respect to the auxiliary shaft or when the drilling progresses clamped to the drilled tunnel shaft walls. The drilling tool is mounted in front of the driving motor in a manner such that it can be extended or retracted as desired. An advancing stroke mechanism carried on a frame supporting the auxiliary shaft is arranged to engage a tubular structure supporting the driving motor and advance it outwardly into the wall structure being drilled. The advanced tubular support structure is supported in its extended position by additionally supplied cylindrical supporting and carrying elements which are placed between it and the mounting base therefor on the under carriage as the tunnel is progressively formed. The structure is locked in each incremental advance position by transversely movable hydraulic wedge elements which are positioned behind support cams defined on the previously applied supporting structures until another support structure of a length equivalent to the advance is added behind them. A tunnel shaft is drilled from the bottom to the top by first forming a cavern at the bottom of the intended shaft and moving the drilling apparatus into posi- Re. 24,965 4/1961 Kirkpatrick 299/31 tion within the cavern. Thereafter the auxiliary tunnel shaft is raised to an elevation corresponding to the angle at which the 2,822,l59 2/l958 Joy 299/56 X tunnel is to be driven and the drilling tool is extended to form 3,354,969 1 1/ 1967 Ebeling 175/94 an initial drilling cut while its driving motor is supported OR GN PATENTS within a tubular member located within the auxiliary shaft. After an initial cut is made the drilling member together with l H1957 France 299/56 its driving motor is advanced outwardly and clamped against Primary ExaminerEmest R. Purser the wall of the tunnel which has been drilled at the exterior of Attorney-McGlew and Toren the auxiliary shaft.

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J V/M APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF DRIVING A TUNNEL SI'IAFT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for drilling tunnels, and in particular, to a new and useful device and method for driving tunnels upwardly from the bottom which includes a supporting carriage carrying an auxiliary tunnel shaft which is pivotally mounted on the carriage and which may be shifted to a desired tunnel drilling orientation, and which includes a tunnel driving machine which may be progressively moved outwardly from the shaft and braced by the shaft supporting frame during the drilling operation.

ln order to drive a shaft with the help of a mechanically operated driving machine it is necessary to drive a pilot shaft first. According to the driving method commonly used up the present time this pilot shaft is blasted open. Only after a pilot shaft is available and only after the drilling equipment is adequately braced in respect to the shaft can the tunnel be driven automatically by means of mechanically operated driving machines. Oblique and vertical shafts cannot be driven from below with the known driving machines because such machines are only suitable for driving horizontal tunnels or those which are inclined only slightly. While it is possible in principle to sink vertical shafts downwardly from the top, this driving method has always presented problems in respect to the removal of the material from the tunnel as the driving operation progresses. It is expedient therefore to drive shafts from the bottom because the problem of removal of the borings can be solved more easily.

According to the basic idea of the present invention, the shaft or tunnel should be excavated fully mechanically and directly without requiring the driving of a pilot shaft into the rock first. An apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention for use in driving inclined or vertical tunnels includes an auxiliary driving shaft which is pivotally mounted on a supporting carriage and which carries a tubular element therein supporting the driving motor for the drilling equipment and which is braced against the wall of the auxiliary tunnel by easily detachable and indetachable elements. The auxiliary driving shaft may be pivoted on its undercarriage to a desired working operation and the drill therein may be moved outwardly into a working position in front of the rock to be drilled. From this working position the driving machine is then driven directly into the rock to be drilled to cutaway an incremental amount thereafter the tubular supporting element for the drive motor and the drill are moved forward. For this purpose, the clamping elements which were initially braced against the auxiliary shaft wall be moved outwardly from the shaft wall to engage in an advanced position against the shaft of the excavated tunnel as the drilling progresses. In addition, the driving motor is supported from the undercarriage by means of supporting elements which are continuously inserted behind the tubular support for the driving motor as the drilling progresses. Because the driving machine possess a driving shaft of its own which performs the function of a pilot shaft which is usually blasted open, the shaft or tunnel can be easily directly driven. In addition because it is pivotally mounted on an undercarriage the working position, extending anywhere from the horizontal to the vertical, can be assumed by positioning the shaft in a simple manner.

To drive a shaft obliquely or vertically from the bottom it is usually necessary in accordance with the method of the invention to blast a cavern in the rock. The auxiliary driving shaft is thus made long enough so that its upper end may be oriented directly adjacent the rock to be drilled at the roof of the cavern and at the desired angle for drilling. in some instances the auxiliary shaft is made with extensible portions or sectors which may be moved outwardly as the drilling progresses or initially moved outwardly in order to adequately position the end of the drilling tool at the proper location for the initial drilling operation.

In accordance with the method of the invention after each drilling cut, during which time the drilling tool is extended to effect the cutting increment, the support for the driving machine is braced from each side adjacent the lower end of the auxiliary shaft by hydraulically operated locking members or wedges which engage behind cams defined on the supporting structure. This makes it possible to insert an additional supporting member of the length corresponding to the increment drilled between the tubular support for the driving motor and the mounting base or undercarriage. To accomplish this the complete mechanism is first advanced by means of an advancement stroke mechanism comprising hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combinations which engage between a support frame for the auxiliary shaft and a supporting structure for the drilling mechanism and advance it outwardly in the drilling direction. The drilling machine is then brached against the auxiliary shaft or a portion of the excavated tunnel and another driving stroke is performed. The drilling method is carried out by repeating the process during each advancing stroke. During this process the driving machine is moved out of the auxiliary shaft and into the excavated sector of the shaft to be driven and the tubular member supporting the driving machine is braced to the tunnel shaft by clamping elements which are hydraulically operated.

The apparatus of the invention advantageously includes a supporting frame structure carrying the advancement stroke mechanism and which is pivotally mounted on a flat car which may be moved over a trackway. The car carries a hydraulic lift which is connected to the auxiliary shaft and which may be operated to lift the shaft to any desired operating angle in order to orient its end in a position for carrying out the tunnel driving operation. Associated with the car are means for transporting cylindrical support elements which may be automatically positioned within the supporting frame behind the aux iliary shaft and behind the tubular structure supporting the drilling motor which is initially located within the shaft. Locking elements are carried between the existing supporting structure and the frame and they comprise hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combinations which carry wedge elements which may be shifted outwardly to engage behind cams defined on each supporting element. The advancement stroke mechanism includes pivotal lever elements which engage behind the cams during the forward movement and which may be shifted backwardly to engage behind a cam of a supporting element which is added during the next advancement of the tunnel by the drilling and advancing operation.

The equipment also includes an annular collecting trough which is formed around the drilling tool and which is connected through a telescopic shaft back to the supporting undercarriage to a location for discharge onto a conveyor or other equipment for carrying the excavated material away. The forward end of the cylindrical supporting elements which are interposed between the cylindrical support for the driving motor and the foundation advantageously includes one or two elements which carry a hydraulic fluid. The cylindrical carrying elements when erected form a cylindrical supporting column directly behind the driving motor and centrally located within the auxiliary shaft at the lowermost end and supported within the frame located below the shafts. The tubular supporting elements also are advantageously made hollow to provide a conveying chute for the material which excavated and delivered through the telescopic pipe rearwardly from a drilling tool.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved tunnel drilling apparatus which includes an auxiliary shaft which is mounted on a frame which is pivoted to a supporting base and which includes a driving or drilling motor and drilling tool which are centrally supported in respect to the auxiliary shaft and which may be braced rearwardly by a column formed by incrementally added tubular members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tunnel drilling apparatus which includes an auxiliary shaft which is mounted on a supporting base for pivotal movement to a desired drilling operation orientation and which carries a tunnel driving tool which may be extended out of the shaft for the drilling operation, and including stroke advancing mechanism associated therewith for moving said tunnel driving tool outwardly and for bracing it in an extended position to the mounting base, and advantageously including means for accommodating substantially cylindrical hollow bracing members or supports between the support for the driving motor and the base, means for engagement with the outermost support to move it outwardly in the direction of the tunnel, and locking means engageable behind the outermost support for supporting the driving mechanism in the advanced position during the adding of each new support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tunnel drilling apparatus which includes a plurality of hollow tubular support members which are built up incrementally as the tunnel is drilled and which provide a support for the driving motor, and a pipe connection from the outermost end of the driving motor at the location of a driving tool which is oriented for receiving the drilled material for directing it backwardly into the hollow interior of said tubular support members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheeled carriage for a tunnel driving machine having a supporting frame which is pivotal on said carriage and which carries an auxiliary shaft tube, and positioning means on said carriage for shifting said auxiliary tube and said supporting frame about said pivotal mounting, and means associated with said auxiliary,shaft for transferring supporting elements to said frame which are to be employed for bracing the driving machine within the shaft tube during the driving operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of drilling a tunnel using a drilling machine which is initially centrally supported within a auxiliary shaft, the shaft being mounted on a frame which is pivoted to a supporting base, comprising excavating a cavern in the rock to be drilled at the bottom of the proposed tunnel, positioning the auxiliary shaft with the drilling machine and its supporting base within said cavern and pivoting said frame with said auxiliary tube to orient said tube at the angle of the tunnel to be excavated and with its outer end adjacent the rock to be drilled, moving the drilling tool outwardly from the shaft to drill away an initial portion of the rock while the tool is braced within the auxiliary shaft, thereafter releasing the bracing and advancing to tool into tunnel which is formed, again bracing the tool against the shaft or the tunnel in accordance with how far it is advanced into the tunnel it has already cut away and drilling a further incremental portion of the tunnel and preferably supporting the drilling machine by adding a tubular member between the machine and the brace of a length corresponding to each incremental cut of the tunnel after each cutting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tunnel drilling apparatus which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an excavated cavern at the location of the bottom of a proposed tunnel and with a tunnel driving machine therein constructed in accordance with the invention shown in side elevation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial sectional view of the tunnel driving machine indicated in FIG. 1 with the auxiliary shaft oriented in a vertical position;

FIG. 3a is an enlarged partial sectional view of the locking mechanism of the machine indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 3a with the lock in a released position and with the drive levers engaged for advancing the support members with the drilling machine outwardly for the next drilling increment;

FIG. 3 c is a view similar to FIG. 3a with the locking member again engaging the supporting member;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section through a partially excavated tunnel on a slightly smaller scale than that indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5', but with the excavated tunnel being driven obliquely; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but on a slightly enlarged scale and with the section being taken at an angle to that indicated in FIG. 5 in order to show the conveying pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a tunnel driving device which includes a frame portion with an advancement stroke mechanism generally designated 1 which carries at its outer end a driving shaft 2. The stroke mechanism I includes a frame portion 8 having a bracket 50 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot or horizontal shaft 4. The shaft 4 is supported on a bracket 52 carried on a flat car or track vehicle 3 which comprises a base for the tunnel driving apparatus. The outer end of the auxiliary shaft is supported on a secondary car or carriage 54 which includes wheels 56 which together with wheels 58 of the flat car 3 are guided over a trackway 60 located within a tunnel T.

The apparatus indicated in FIG. 1 is particularly useful for driving a tunnel from the bottom toward the top and to do this in accordance with the method of the invention the apparatus is moved through the tunnel T to a or in which a cavern or enlarged area K has been formed such as by blasting (see FIG. I and FIG. 6).

A lifting mechanism or positioning device 5 includes a fluid pressure operated cylinder and piston combination which may be operated to pivot the unit about the shaft 4 to an upright position as indicated in the dotted lines in FIG. 1 o to an oblique position at a selected angle as indicated in FIG. 6.

In accordance with the invention the tunnel driving apparatus includes a driving or drilling machine generally designated 6 which is centrally located within a cylindrical enclosure 61 which is centered within the auxiliary shaft or tube 2. The machine 6 is connected to rotatably drive a drilling tool 17 which is mounted on the end of a telescopic boom 62. In the initial stage of drilling the driving motor 6 and its as sociated protective tube 61 is anchored to or braced against the auxiliary shaft 2 adjacent the outer end thereof in a position at which the rotary drill 18 may be extended to cut sway the tunnel face. In order to provide a firm anchoring of this end of the device there are provided means generally designated 64 for clamping the driving machine 6 either to the auxiliary shaft 2 or to the wall of a tunnel depending on the position of tube 61 at the time. The clamping mechanism 64 includes forward and rear sets of clamping members 15, I5 and 15', 15', respectively, which are pivotally connected to the central tubular member 61 by links 66. Longitudinally aligned sets of the clamps 15, 15 are connected together by hydraulic piston and cylinder sets 68 which eccentrically connect to each clamp 15 in respect to the pivotal connection of the links 66. Expansion of the fluid piston and cylinder combinations 68 (by outward movement of its associated piston cause the tightening of the clamping elements against the wall of the shaft 2 or the tunnel wall whereas a shortening of the length of the element 68 causes a release from the walls.

The frame 8 which is secured to the lower end of the auxiliary driving shaft 2 is provided with a central opening or cavity 8' which is large enough to accommodate carrying and support elements or column forming members 7. The support elements 7 comprise hollow cylinders of selected lengths which carry lateral extensions on each side with horizontally arranged cam elements or teeth 13. The lowermost support element 7 indicated in FIG. 2, is supported on a foundation or base 70 of the platform 3.

An advancement stroke mechanism 1 is located within the framework 8 and it includes fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder combinations 11 located on each side of the support 7 which are pivotally connected to stroke carriages 9. The carriages 9 are guided for vertical movement by a portion of the frame 8. Lever drivers 10 are pivoted on associated pins 72 to the carriages 9. The lowermost portion of each driver lever 10 abuts against a ledge of the carriage 9 and the uppermost portion is adapted to engage behind the support earns 13 of the carrying element 7 and to move them forward by one advancement stroke in a direction of the drilling operation as the drilling progresses.

In the end position of the advancement stroke a lock or latching mechanism generally designated 12 engages behind an aligned cam 13 to hold the previously applied supports in position. The latching mechanism 12 includes a wedge member 73 which is shifted outwardly by a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combination 14 after the advancement stroke has been completed so as to cause them to engage underneath the cams 13. The locked position is indicated in FIG. 3a in which the wedge 73 engages underneath the associated cam 13. During the advancement stroke the driver lever 10 will engage beneath the cam 13 as indicated in FIG. 3b, after the wedge 73 has first been withdrawn to a nonlocking position. The end of the stroke is indicated in FIG. 30 showing the associated cam 13 moved beyond the top of the wedge member 73. The wedge members 73 are shifted laterally to engage beneath the cam to form a firm support for all of the support elements 7 until a new support is added and the drilling machine is again braced for the next drilling operation.

In FIG. 5, the ground or rock G has been drilled away vertically to provide a tunnel shaft S. In this position the tunnel driving machine 6 is located upwardly far beyond the end of the auxiliary driving shaft 2 which remains in the cavern K. At this location the plurality of supporting elements 7 are stacked to form a vertical column. In this instance the column is hollow since it is made up of the individual hollow elements and it provides a passageway for the purpose of conducting materials which are drilled away by the drilling tool 17 and which accumulate in a annular trough 18. These materials are directed through an extensible pipe or telescopic conduit 16 which is connected into an upper one of the supporting members 7 as indicated in FIG. 7. In the advanced position of FIG. 5 the supporting elements 7 provide a main support for the driving motor 6 when the clamping members are released from the wall of the shaft S, and this is done whenever the driving machine is to be moved forward by distance corresponding to the advancement stroke. The unbraced driving machine 6 will not topple upon the release of the support means 15 sinceit always guided against the wall or face of the tunnel shaft S par tially by the slightly withdrawn clamping members 15 and partially by the outermost funnel l8. Normally the supports 7 do not have to withstand any conveying or feeding forces which might produce turning moments nor do they have to support any torque developed by the driving motor 6 during the drilling operation since at this time the supporting clamps 15 are braced against the shaft wall.

As best indicated in FIG. 7, the supporting elements 7 which are closest to the driving machine 6 are preferably designed as fluid pressure containers 7' and the next lower one forms an inlet for receiving the drilled away material through the connecting pipe 16.

By referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that the carrying and supporting elements 7 are first transported on flat cars 80 to the track car 3 and than transferred to a transfer platform 20 or 20 as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. The

platform 20 in FIG. 5 is oriented to permit lateral shifting of the supporting element directly into the accommodating space of the frame 8. In the oblique position indicated in FIG.'6, the loading device 20 is also oriented obliquely and the support elements 7 are supported so that they may be shiftedby a hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combination 82 upwardly into the receiving frame 8 for centering below the driving motor 6 at the lowermost end of the column being formed by all of the supporting elements 7. In order to facilitate the transfer of the supporting element from the cars to the flat car 3 an overhead guide track 19 is provided which is pivoted at one end to the lowermost end of the auxiliary shaft 2 and supported in the cavern K by a member 84 which is adapted to be driven into the tunnel wall. A hoist or trolley lift 86 is slidable along the track 19 for the purpose of transporting and shifting the support columns 7. In the oblique position of operation which indicated in FIG. 6, a supporting strut or brace 21 is pivoted between the end of flat car 3 and the auxiliary shaft 2 intermediate its height.

The equipment is advantageously located so that the rock which drilled away drops through the hollow support element 7 and falls onto a moving conveyor 22 which transports the drilled away material to a removal location.

METHOD OF OPERATION When a vertical shaft is to be driven from the bottom to the top a cavern K is first formed by blasting out the rock G from the existing tunnel T. The driving equipment is then positioned in the cavern at the location which permits the open end of the support shaft to be oriented to the desired drilling angle. When a vertical tunnel is to be drilled it will be oriented in the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 1. The driving machine 6 is then braced within the auxiliary shaft 1 and performs a driving stroke up and into the rock to be drilled. The driving is continued with the driving motor positioned within the auxiliary shaft, and when the tunnel shaft is deep enough into the rock, at least the forward bracing elements 15, 15 of the driving machine 6 are braced in the drilled tunnel shaft S.

After the drilling tool 17 has been extended to cut away as much rock as possible while the clamps are in the clamped position. The braces 15 are then released and an advancement stroke is carried out by actuating the advancement mechanism 1. If the tunnel has been sufficiently drilled the clamping devices are moved out of the auxiliary shaft 2 and braced against the walls of the tunnel shaft S. After each advancement stroke a supporting element 7 is inserted while the previous assembly of support elements is locked in position by a supporting locking mechanism 12. Thereupon the driving machine 6 is again braced against the auxiliary shaft 2 or the excavated shaft S and another drilling stroke is made by extending the drilling end'17. While the drilling is carried out the material is collected in a trough l8 and delivered through the telescopic pipe 16 and through the hollow support element to the conveyor 22 for removal.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of driving a tunnel shaft from the bottom upwardly using an auxiliary shaft tube which is supported by a frame on a mounting base and a tunnel drilling apparatus which is located within the tube, comprising excavating a cavern in a tunnel shaft, positioning the shaft tube with the driving apparatus in the cavern and orienting the tube and apparatus at an angle corresponding to the angle of the tunnel to be driven, bracing the apparatus in the shaft and drilling away the material ahead of the shaft while the apparatus is advanced, releasing apparatus from the shaft and advancing the apparatus into the tunnel formed'by the initial drilling away, bracing the apparatus to the tunnel or the shaft and cutting away a further position of the tunnel.

2. A method, according to claim 1, including applying a supporting member between the drilling apparatus and the mounting base after each advancing stroke.

3. A method, according to claim 2, including directing the drilled away material through a shaft and into the supporting members which have been applied.

4. A method according to claim 3, including locking the drilling apparatus in an advanced position after each advancing stroke, and then applying a supporting member between the apparatus end which mounting base and thereafter, releasing the lock and again bracing said drilling apparatus against the tunnel shaft.

5. A tunnel driving apparatus for drilling out a tunnel shaft in successive drilling cuts, comprising a mounting base, an auxiliary shaft tube carried on said base and having an opened end which may be oriented along side the material to be drilled away and with its axis at an angle corresponding to the axis of the tunnel to be formed, support means for supporting a drilling device within said shaft, bracing means for bracing said support means selectively to said shaft tube and to the wall of the tunnel which is excavated, and stroke advancing means connected to said support means for shifting said support means in the direction of the tunnel excavation for positioning said support means and the drilling device in an extended position for affecting each successive drilling of the tunnel shaft.

6. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said support means comprises a tubular member adapted to receive a driving motor, said stroke advancing means comprising a carriage having a lever engageable with said support means for shifting said support means, and hydraulically operated drive means connected to said carriage for shifting said carriage in the direction of tunnel excavation.

7. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, including means for locking said support means in an advanced position after being advanced in the tunnel excavation by said stroke advancing means.

8. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said support means includes a tubular member adapted to surround and support a tunnel driving motor, and at least one support element disposed between said tubular member and said mounting base.

9. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said support element comprises a cylindrical member disposed centrally within said auxiliary shaft.

10. A tunnel driving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said cylindrical member includes a cam element thereon, said stroke advancing means including a lever member engageable with said cam element for shifting said supporting means.

11. A tunnel driving apparatus for successively drilling out a tunnel shaft in successive drilling operations, comprising a mounting frame, a tubular auxiliary shaft connected to said mounting frame and extending outwardly therefrom, platform means for pivotally mounting said mounting frame with said auxiliary shaft tube thereon, positioning means on said platform for pivoting said mounting frame with said auxiliary shaft tube for orienting the open end of said shaft tube adjacent the rock to be excavated, a drilling device, support means located within said shaft tube for supporting said drilling device, means for bracing said support means within said shaft tube and within said tunnel wall to be excavated, locking means for locking said support means in a fixed position in respect to said shaft tube, and stroke advancing means carried on said frame and engageable with said support means for shifting said support means relatively to said shaft in order to advance the drilling apparatus into the material to be drilled away.

12. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said stroke advancing means includes a carriage guide for movement along said frame, a drive lever pivoted on said carriage, said support means having a plurality of cams exposed adjacent said drive lever, said drive lever being engageable behind at least one of said cams and being movable by said stroke advancing means to shift said support means in res ect to said shafttube.

3. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11,

wherein said support means comprises a tubular member said driving device including a driving motor supported within said tubular member, said bracing means comprising a clamping means carried by said tubular member and being movable outwardly to engage against said shaft tube and against the tunnel wall which is excavated, said support means also including at least one additional support member disposed between said cylindrical member and said mounting base.

14. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said support member includes an exterior cam portion said stroke advancing means including a driving lever engageable with the exterior cam portion of said support member to move said support member with said tubular support relative to said shaft tube.

15. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 14, including locking means engageable behind said cam for locking said support means in an extended position.

16. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said means for supporting a drilling apparatus within said tubular shaft comprises a tubular support for drilling apparatus motor, and a plurality of tubular elements disposed between said tubular support and said mounting base, said tubular elements being hollow, and means of collecting material being drilled away by the drilling apparatus and for directing it backwardly into the hollow support members.

17. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said means for collecting the material being drilled away comprises an annular trough, said drilling device comprising a rotary drilling member centered within said trough, a telescopic shaft connected to said annular trough and extending into the uppermost one of said support members, and conveyor means associated with the lowermost one of said support members for conveying the material which has been removed from the drill away from the excavation.

18. A device for conveying away material being excavated by a tunnel driving apparatus comprising an annular trough adapted to surround a drilling element, a plurality of tubular members arranged in end to end engagement and forming a central support for a drilling tool, and a telescopic tube con neeted between said annular trough to the interior of said tubular members for discharging material thereto, said tubular members being hollow and being interconnected for the delivery of the passage of material therethrough.

19. A device, according to claim 18, including conveyor means adjacent the lowermost one of said tubular members for conveying away the material discharged thereinto. 

1. A method of driving a tunnel shaft from the bottom upwardly using an auxiliary shaft tube which is supported by a frame on a mounting base and a tunnel drilling apparatus which is located within the tube, comprising excavating a cavern in a tunnel shaft, positioning the shaft tube with the driving apparatus in the cavern and orienting the tube and apparatus at an angle corresponding to the angle of the tunnel to be driven, bracing the apparatus in the shaft and drilling away the material ahead of the shaft while the apparatus is advanced, releasing apparatus from the shaft and advancing the apparatus into the tunnel formed by the initial drilling away, bracing the apparatus to the tunnel or the shaft and cutting away a further position of the tunnel.
 2. A method, according to claim 1, including applying a supporting member between the drilling apparatus and the mounting base after each advancing stroke.
 3. A method, according to claim 2, including directing the drilled away material through a shaft and into the supporting members which have been applied.
 4. A method according to claim 3, including locking the drilling apparatus in an advanced position after each advancing stroke, and then applying a supporting member betweEn the apparatus end which mounting base and thereafter, releasing the lock and again bracing said drilling apparatus against the tunnel shaft.
 5. A tunnel driving apparatus for drilling out a tunnel shaft in successive drilling cuts, comprising a mounting base, an auxiliary shaft tube carried on said base and having an opened end which may be oriented along side the material to be drilled away and with its axis at an angle corresponding to the axis of the tunnel to be formed, support means for supporting a drilling device within said shaft, bracing means for bracing said support means selectively to said shaft tube and to the wall of the tunnel which is excavated, and stroke advancing means connected to said support means for shifting said support means in the direction of the tunnel excavation for positioning said support means and the drilling device in an extended position for affecting each successive drilling of the tunnel shaft.
 6. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said support means comprises a tubular member adapted to receive a driving motor, said stroke advancing means comprising a carriage having a lever engageable with said support means for shifting said support means, and hydraulically operated drive means connected to said carriage for shifting said carriage in the direction of tunnel excavation.
 7. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, including means for locking said support means in an advanced position after being advanced in the tunnel excavation by said stroke advancing means.
 8. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said support means includes a tubular member adapted to surround and support a tunnel driving motor, and at least one support element disposed between said tubular member and said mounting base.
 9. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said support element comprises a cylindrical member disposed centrally within said auxiliary shaft.
 10. A tunnel driving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said cylindrical member includes a cam element thereon, said stroke advancing means including a lever member engageable with said cam element for shifting said supporting means.
 11. A tunnel driving apparatus for successively drilling out a tunnel shaft in successive drilling operations, comprising a mounting frame, a tubular auxiliary shaft connected to said mounting frame and extending outwardly therefrom, platform means for pivotally mounting said mounting frame with said auxiliary shaft tube thereon, positioning means on said platform for pivoting said mounting frame with said auxiliary shaft tube for orienting the open end of said shaft tube adjacent the rock to be excavated, a drilling device, support means located within said shaft tube for supporting said drilling device, means for bracing said support means within said shaft tube and within said tunnel wall to be excavated, locking means for locking said support means in a fixed position in respect to said shaft tube, and stroke advancing means carried on said frame and engageable with said support means for shifting said support means relatively to said shaft in order to advance the drilling apparatus into the material to be drilled away.
 12. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said stroke advancing means includes a carriage guide for movement along said frame, a drive lever pivoted on said carriage, said support means having a plurality of cams exposed adjacent said drive lever, said drive lever being engageable behind at least one of said cams and being movable by said stroke advancing means to shift said support means in respect to said shaft tube.
 13. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said support means comprises a tubular member said driving device including a driving motor supported within said tubular member, said bracing means comprising a clamping means carried by said tubular member and being movable outwardly to engage against saiD shaft tube and against the tunnel wall which is excavated, said support means also including at least one additional support member disposed between said cylindrical member and said mounting base.
 14. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said support member includes an exterior cam portion said stroke advancing means including a driving lever engageable with the exterior cam portion of said support member to move said support member with said tubular support relative to said shaft tube.
 15. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 14, including locking means engageable behind said cam for locking said support means in an extended position.
 16. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said means for supporting a drilling apparatus within said tubular shaft comprises a tubular support for drilling apparatus motor, and a plurality of tubular elements disposed between said tubular support and said mounting base, said tubular elements being hollow, and means of collecting material being drilled away by the drilling apparatus and for directing it backwardly into the hollow support members.
 17. A tunnel driving apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said means for collecting the material being drilled away comprises an annular trough, said drilling device comprising a rotary drilling member centered within said trough, a telescopic shaft connected to said annular trough and extending into the uppermost one of said support members, and conveyor means associated with the lowermost one of said support members for conveying the material which has been removed from the drill away from the excavation.
 18. A device for conveying away material being excavated by a tunnel driving apparatus comprising an annular trough adapted to surround a drilling element, a plurality of tubular members arranged in end to end engagement and forming a central support for a drilling tool, and a telescopic tube connected between said annular trough to the interior of said tubular members for discharging material thereto, said tubular members being hollow and being interconnected for the delivery of the passage of material therethrough.
 19. A device, according to claim 18, including conveyor means adjacent the lowermost one of said tubular members for conveying away the material discharged thereinto. 